The Secular Coalition for America (SCA) is hosting an Advocacy Day on Thursday, June 13, to give humanists in the Greater D.C. area an opportunity to bring our concerns to Congressional staff. Members of ethical societies are coming to D.C. for the annual conference of the American Ethical Union (AEU), and this event is timed to build on their participation. The SCA invites AEU, WASH, and D.C.-area humanists to participate. The SCA will provide basic training in advocacy and lobbying at the SCA offices and then organize visits with Congressional staff members. There is no charge to participate, but participants are responsible for transportation and meals. For more information or to sign up, email [email protected]

Participants can catch a van from the conference site at 8:30AM on Thursday, June 13, to be taken to the metro train into DC. The van is free, but bring about $12 for metro fare. If you need a room at the Conference Center for Wednesday night, you need to arrange that with the AEU office. Those arriving into D.C. that morning can meet us at 10:00AM at the SCA office at 1012 14th St. NW, #205, Washington, D.C. 20035-6096 (202-299-1091). We will have training until lunchtime, and metro to Capitol Hill for a couple of hours of advocacy in the afternoon. If attendance exceeds the capacity of the SCA office, we will arrange for training to be held nearby.

The SCA, AEU, and WASH share many common concerns that we can discuss with our representatives. Some of these issues include the following: 1) health and safety concerns, such contraception and family planning for all, including individuals working at religious institutions trying to deny these basic services to their patients and employees; 2) science education that respects evolution and does not teach creationism and intelligent design; 3) good sexual education curriculum for all public school students, not ineffective “abstinence only” approaches; 4) opposition to school vouchers for religious schools; 5) marriage equality and the repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); 6) support anti-bullying regulations in schools; 7) support of the establishment of Darwin Day; and, 8) protection against discrimination in labor, housing, and employment on the basis of a religious test. We won’t be able to address all these issues, so if any are of particular interest to you, please email you preference to[email protected]. For more information about the SCA, visit their website http://secular.org/.